PSC urged to overrule PATAFA move to remove Obiena from national pool

Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles today said the move of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) President Philip Ella Juico to overrule Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena from the national pool should be rescinded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) because this is a violation of the Constitution.

Nograles, who is the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development,  also called on the PSC to  come in and support Obiena “otherwise, the Republic will be robbed of possible gold medals from the Asian Championships in Kazakhstan, SEA Games in Vietnam, Asian Games in China, World Championships in Oregon.”

Nograles said that the brouhaha brought about by the actions of PATAFA President Phillip Ella Juico against the world’s number 3 pole vaulter is a big disgrace for the Republic, especially the sporting community, and has imperiled the country’s gold campaign in various international athletic competitions.

“I don’t understand why Juico had to do this kind of action whereas he could have just admitted he was wrong, apologized, and moved on. It is without a doubt that he wrongly accused Obiena of financial indiscretion. He should have been a sportsman enough to accept his mistake. Juico is the face of everything that is wrong about Philippine sports,” Nograles said.

“Because of this mess, we have already been robbed of a possible competition medal this January. The PSC should not allow PATAFA to jeopardize our sports programs because of personal pride. The national interest must always come first when it comes to sports,” he added.

Nograles insisted that PSC should take action and stop being a  fence-sitter as this can have a demoralizing effect on the country’s national athletes.

“Juico has done much for sports, but maybe he should retire and just give EJ Obiena his a once-in-lifetime medal run. Obiena and national glory should be protected at all costs.  The PSC should exercise its mandate as provided under the Law and protected by the Constitution,” Nograles said.

Nograles stressed that under Section 19, Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution, it was clearly provided that the State shall encourage sports competitions which prompted the enactment of Republic Act no. 6847 that created the PSC “as a  single, unified and integrated national sports policy-making body.”

In the same Law, PATAFA as a National Sports Association is subject to supervisory and visitorial powers of the Commission, Nograles noted.

“Again, the same Law clearly delineates that the primary responsibility of the Philippine Olympic Committee is our country’s participation in international sports competitions and not PATAFA. With the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) announcing that Obiena is the recognized athlete to compete on behalf of the Republic, the PATAFA order should be disregarded,” Nograles said.

Nograles added that the PSC should overturn the decision of the PATAFA because apart from the fact that this is contrary to its Constitutional mandate, the Philippines does not have any other gold medal contender in pole vault other than Obiena.

“Who should compete for the Philippines? Obiena as the Asian Record Holder at 5.93 meters is the best-qualified athlete in Asia, followed by China with 5.80 meters. Can Philip Juico take his place and pole vault that high?” Nograles asked.

By overturning the decision of the PATAFA, Nograles said the PSC can save the country from embarrassment and assure Obiena that he has the support of the government and the Filipino people.  He added that even the POC can overrule PATAFA following its position that Obiena can compete for the flag.

“It would be in the best interest of the Republic that PATAFA will also support Obiena. The PSC can directly fund Obiena and his training program, and there is no legal hindrance in doing so. The PSC does not need to fund Obiena through the PATAFA. In fact, it is even likely that the PATAFA has not yet fully liquidated to the PSC all the funding the Association has received and could be subject to COA review and investigation,” Nograles said.